The annual Crazy Hats walk took place in March at Wicksteed Park and has already raised more than last year’s event, with sponsorship money still coming in.

Glennis Hooper, founder of the Wellingborough-based charity which recently celebrated reaching the £2 million mark, said: “This year’s walk total currently stands at just under £60,000 with sponsor money still coming in, despite the closing date being a couple of weeks ago.

“This is about £4,000 up on last year, which is amazing considering the financial climate.

“Huge thanks to everyone who has submitted their sponsor money and to those who have yet to send it, there is still time.”

Money from the walk will help the charity pay for improvements and new equipment for the county hospitals.

They have pledged to give £30,000 to Northampton General Hospital to assist with the refurbishment of the chemotherapy suite and £70,000 is earmarked for Kettering General Hospital to buy new and updated surgical equipment.

The charity is also now saving to work towards finding bigger premises and realise its dream of opening a breast cancer haven in the county.

Miss Hooper said they have started working with architects to help design the haven.

To help with the fundraising, people can now make a donation to Crazy Hats using their mobile phone by texting CHBC09 to 70070 and choosing the amount you want to donate.

The diary for the Crazy Hats team over the coming months is also filling up, with numerous events lined up.

These include the charity’s first ever soapbox derby at Wicksteed Park on Saturday, June 27, a special Ladies Day at the County Ground in Northampton on Wednesday, July 29, with the team sporting pink shirts sponsored by Colemans, and a large team is set to take part in the Northampton half marathon on September 6.

For more information about the charity and its work, go to www.crazyhatsbreastcancerappeal.co.uk.

For further details on the soapbox derby and how to enter, go to www.wicksteedpark.org.